ULAN BATOR, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Mongolian Prime Minister Ukhnaa Khurelsukh on Wednesday approved the appointment of Sainbuyan Amarsaikhan as the new mayor of capital city Ulan Bator.

Amarsaikhan, head of the Citizen's Representative Council of Ulan Bator, was appointed by 25 deputies in the 45-seat council in a secret ballot on Tuesday. The 46-year-old is a member of the ruling Mongolian People's Party (MPP).

A deputy of the Citizens' Representative Council, Samdannyam Munkhchuluun, was the only contender against Amarsaikhan.

Sundui Batbold, the former mayor of Ulan Bator, announced his resignation in late November after Khurelsukh accused him of not fulfilling his duties.

Amarsaikhan has pledged to step up efforts to address the pressing issues in the city, including air and soil pollution.

Ulan Bator is home to more than half of the country's population of 3.2 million.